While scrolling through your social feeds this week, you have probably come across promotional posts for Earth Day. In fact, this Sunday, April 22, is the Earth Day, and a lot of activities will be hosted around the globe to promote the environment, including our very own campus!
In my opinion, just one Earth Day is not enough to address the environmental damages that resulted from our daily actions. When approaching climate change issues, we often accuse large corporations who destroy forests, emit massive amount carbon dioxide, or dispose of hazardous waste in rivers. While these companies are seriously harming the environment, we do not often realize that none of those would be possible without our daily collaboration, in consuming their products.
For instance, the cultivation of palm oil, an essential ingredient in many foods and cosmetic products, is today one of the main contributors to deforestation. In Indonesia, millions of hectares of rainforests have been destroyed in favor of palm oil plantations. This monoculture has contributed to the extinction of many plant and animal species. Reportedly, the orangutan population has decreased by 50 percent as the result of habitat loss from forest clearing for palm plantations. Sadly, this is just one example of an endless list of environmentally destructive practices. While legislative policies have failed to mitigate the expansion of these threats, consumers collectively possess the power to stop it. Imagine what would happen if we suddenly cease to buy products containing palm oil grown in horrible conditions.
Collective action is one of the keys to mitigating climate change. We are psychologically prone to advocate and act for the planet when knowing that other people are doing the same. This goes back to the Earth Day, where we see people globally reflecting on their impacts on the environment. Though one environmental awareness day is insufficient, it’s a good point to start; now, the challenge is to find a way to keep people motivated about maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyle throughout the entire year.
While we’re looking for an effective answer, Happy Earth Day!
Written by Kelly Jean, Class of 2021
Image source: Vecteezy